Why Eye Exams Are Important for People with Diabetes
Diabetes increases your risk for several serious eye conditions. You should get eye exams regularly because early detection of these diseases is critical to protect your eyes and avoid vision loss.
In this post. Dr. Gregory Johnson of Intracoastal Eye explains why eye exams are important for people with diabetes.
Diabetes Is a Risk Factor
Diabetes is one risk factor for glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. These conditions can often be treated if they are caught early, but can lead to permanent eye damage if left untreated.
Diabetic retinopathy is a major concern for people with diabetes. This condition can cause blood vessels in the eye to swell, leak, close or grow abnormally.
You should get regular eye exams so your ophthalmologist can look for signs of diabetic retinopathy. Additional risk factors for diabetic retinopathy include smoking, pregnancy and poor diabetes management.
Diabetic Retinopathy Symptoms and Diagnosis
You should also visit an ophthalmologist if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Dark floaters or dark areas in your vision
- Blurred vision or fluctuating vision
- Poor night vision
- Faded color vision
It’s also possible to have diabetic retinopathy without experiencing any symptoms, which is why eye exams should be scheduled regularly, even if your eyes seem fine.
Diabetic retinopathy is detected using a dilated eye exam. Your doctor will then use one of several methods to inspect your blood vessels and look for damage.
Diabetic Retinopathy Treatments
Your treatment plan will be based on the severity of your symptoms and other factors. If your symptoms are mild and aren’t worsening, your doctor may just continue to regularly monitor your condition or suggest lifestyle changes.
More serious cases will require treatment, typically performed by lasers or injections. Treatments by injection need to be administered regularly. If you skip appointments, you are risking a potential loss of vision.
Schedule Your Next Eye Exam
Whether or not you have experienced symptoms of diabetic retinopathy, you should get a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year to keep your eyes healthy. Dr. Johnson can check your eyes for signs of diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and other problems.
To schedule your next visit with Dr. Johnson, call Intracoastal Eye at (910) 777-8254 today.